Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)

You meet the ALR when buying a farm, ranch or rural business in British Columbia that owns its land. This entry covers British Columbia only; check the rules where you are.

What the Act limits

• Section 20(1): a person must not use agricultural land for a non-farm use unless permitted under section 25 or 45 or the regulations. Section 23 sets exceptions to the restrictions on use.
• Section 21(1): a person must not subdivide agricultural land unless permitted on the same basis.
• Section 20.1 sets conditions on residential structures, subject to sections 20.2, 25 and 45 and the regulations.
• An owner may apply to the Commission for permission under section 25 (ss. 20(2) and 21(2)); for a non-farm use, so may a person with a right of entry granted under an enactment.

What to check or ask

The Commission describes itself as the administrative tribunal that adjudicates applications in the ALR. Ask the seller whether the land is in the ALR, using the Commission’s mapping, and whether the current and planned uses are permitted. See the guide on due diligence on a farm business and the entry on farmland ownership restrictions, which covers Saskatchewan and Manitoba.